Wolf Spider (zh) (2/5)

Araneae: Lycosidae

Lycosidae sp  

Flies don't spider, but spiders do fly.

This small Wolf Spider on the top of a fence post is preparing for flight.

It has got as high as it can on the post and will now raise its abdomen towards the sky, stand tall on its legs, and let out a line of silk into the breeze until it has created a sufficient sail to lift off the post and travel through the air on an unknown journey to new and strange parts.

This method of spiderling dispersal is called ballooning but paragliding seems to me to be closer to the mark.

This particular day is a very good one for spider flight. In fact, I found it impossible to walk around without interrupting the passage of some of the many lines of spider silk that drifted through the air bringing the passengers to a sudden halt, probably somewhere on my person.

All I can say is, it's a good job Red-back Spiders don't travel like this or I'd be specialising in in-door photography.